Saturday, September 20, 2008
When Blog Meets Real Life
I started this blog back in 2006 with the idea that it would help me keep in touch with loved ones. I've been living on "the Island" for over four years. I don't really miss the city, but I do miss my friends and family. Since I moved to an island far, far away from my life in the city, this was the perfect way to keep friends and family updated with the happenings in my new life in a small, rural, northern town.
Little did I know that years later, I would develop friendships with some of the most wonderful people ever. My gal pal, Fancy Pansy Momma had introduced me to the world of blogging. Hers was the only blog I read for the longest time. I also have other friends who blog. Check them out on my sidebar. Back then, I didn't know much about blogging. It took me forever to learn how to even post a comment on someone's blog. I also only read blogs that belonged to my friends and family. I didn't even think of venturing outside the box. I didn't even know that strangers were reading my blog! My piddly little old blog? My uninteresting and silly bunch of ramblings? Who would want to read that?
Then Ms.Mamma, Jane (then AKA: MamaDoggyLove) and Canine somehow became my first real blog pals. I don't even remember how we found each others' blogs! All I know is that theirs are among the first blogs I visited regularly when I started blogging.
For people who don't blog, it might sound a bit strange to hear of people making friends via their blog. It sounds funny, but there's a sense of "community" in the blog world. I'm so thankful that I've crossed paths with people like Jeanna, Jimmy, Jane, Sharon, Audrey, Ellie, Lotus, Sandy, Cherry, J, Starshine, Louann, Mrinz, Autumn's Mom, D'Rae, Beach Mama, and Deb (and the list goes on and on)! I hope to one day meet up with these bloggers in person!
The first blog friend I met in person was KarenMEG. It didn't seem odd or awkward meeting her, since we met at a mutual friend's house. It turns out that old time friends in real life, Gavie's Gal, Nathanial's Mommy and Fancy Pansy sort of live in the same neck of the woods as Karen and I think they met her through a Mommy group or something since they all have young children. I always get a kick thinking of what a small world it is. Here I was, knowing Karen in the blog world, and she was hanging out with my real life friends in Toronto! Too cool!
Now, I'm excited about what happened today! A few weeks ago, Rosie from Telling Mom left a comment on my blog. We kept corresponding throughout the day and almost on a daily basis we have kept up our communication. Though we had never met in person, it seemed as though we had known each other forever!
I remember the first time Rosie called me, we talked for a long time and it was as though we were old friends! Everything just seemed so natural with us.
Today, Rosie and her husband came to visit us on our little island. The funny thing is that it was like Rosie, her husband, my hubby and I were great friends for a long time! We just all hit it off so well. We had wonderful conversations about everything! We even went for a walk around our property so the pair could take photos. Rosie and her hubby are amazing photographers! We walked through our bush and got some nice nature photos. They even got some great shots of our old barn.
We ended up going to a restaurant that Hubby and I always meant to try. I wanted to take Canine, Bert and TC there when they come to visit sometime :) The restaurant is called The School House Restaurant. It's a quaint little old school house that was transformed into a restaurant for fine dining.
It was quite the experience. The ambiance was fantastic and the service was wonderful.
Of course, I whipped out my camera to take photos for the blog.
I started off with the Spanakopita (spinach pie).
I love everything and anything that has spinach in it! This was a lovely, warm, flavourful treat. The greens were also delicious.
I chose the chicken on butternut squash risotto with veggies.
The asparagus was cooked to perfection and I think my new favourite thing to eat is butternut squash risotto! The taste was mild and buttery. The butternut squash gave the dish a slightly sweet flavour. It all came together so nicely. The risotto just melts in your mouth. It was sooooo good!
I was actually going to take photos of Hubby's, Rosie's, and Rosie's hubby's dishes as well, but then I thought they'd think I was a freak for doing so! Oh, the lengths I go to for this blog! ;) I was eyeballing Rosie's hubby's shrimp appetizer! Next time I'll get that!
I did manage to get photos of the desserts. I was so sad! Because "Junior" does not like me to eat anything sweet, decadent, or even remotely sinful, I just watched everyone savour their dessert choices. *sigh* TORTURE! I guess I could have had dessert...but I would have just paid for it afterward! No thanks.
Hubby's Crème brûlée looked absolutely mouthwatering!
Hubby loves his Crème brûlée (if you remember from one of my Christmas in Montreal posts)! Hubby actually said that this Crème brûlée was possibly one of the best he has ever had (and this man knows his Crème brûlée)! I didn't even bother asking for a taste because I noticed that the ingredients included Bailey's and Kahlua! Sounds divine! I told everyone at our table that as soon as I have this baby, I am going straight to The School House Restaurant and I'm having one of those Crème brûlées!!!
Rosie's Chocolate Almond Cake looked really tasty too! I snuck a shot after Rosie had her first bite.
Mmmmmmmmm...CHOCOLATE!! How I miss chocolate! Why, oh why does this baby not let me enjoy chocolate? Have you ever heard of a pregnant woman who can't eat chocolate because it absolutely makes her sick?? :( Sooooo sad!!!
We highly recommend The School House Restaurant!
We capped off the night with Rosie and her hubby taking photos of the Milky Way and the night sky from our back field. Where we live, the night skies are so dark. We don't get the light pollution that you'd find in the city. It was a stunning night and the stars were really beautiful. What a perfect way to end a perfect day. We'll definitely be seeing Rosie and her hubby again soon! We just love those two!
Little did I know that years later, I would develop friendships with some of the most wonderful people ever. My gal pal, Fancy Pansy Momma had introduced me to the world of blogging. Hers was the only blog I read for the longest time. I also have other friends who blog. Check them out on my sidebar. Back then, I didn't know much about blogging. It took me forever to learn how to even post a comment on someone's blog. I also only read blogs that belonged to my friends and family. I didn't even think of venturing outside the box. I didn't even know that strangers were reading my blog! My piddly little old blog? My uninteresting and silly bunch of ramblings? Who would want to read that?
Then Ms.Mamma, Jane (then AKA: MamaDoggyLove) and Canine somehow became my first real blog pals. I don't even remember how we found each others' blogs! All I know is that theirs are among the first blogs I visited regularly when I started blogging.
For people who don't blog, it might sound a bit strange to hear of people making friends via their blog. It sounds funny, but there's a sense of "community" in the blog world. I'm so thankful that I've crossed paths with people like Jeanna, Jimmy, Jane, Sharon, Audrey, Ellie, Lotus, Sandy, Cherry, J, Starshine, Louann, Mrinz, Autumn's Mom, D'Rae, Beach Mama, and Deb (and the list goes on and on)! I hope to one day meet up with these bloggers in person!
The first blog friend I met in person was KarenMEG. It didn't seem odd or awkward meeting her, since we met at a mutual friend's house. It turns out that old time friends in real life, Gavie's Gal, Nathanial's Mommy and Fancy Pansy sort of live in the same neck of the woods as Karen and I think they met her through a Mommy group or something since they all have young children. I always get a kick thinking of what a small world it is. Here I was, knowing Karen in the blog world, and she was hanging out with my real life friends in Toronto! Too cool!
Now, I'm excited about what happened today! A few weeks ago, Rosie from Telling Mom left a comment on my blog. We kept corresponding throughout the day and almost on a daily basis we have kept up our communication. Though we had never met in person, it seemed as though we had known each other forever!
I remember the first time Rosie called me, we talked for a long time and it was as though we were old friends! Everything just seemed so natural with us.
Today, Rosie and her husband came to visit us on our little island. The funny thing is that it was like Rosie, her husband, my hubby and I were great friends for a long time! We just all hit it off so well. We had wonderful conversations about everything! We even went for a walk around our property so the pair could take photos. Rosie and her hubby are amazing photographers! We walked through our bush and got some nice nature photos. They even got some great shots of our old barn.
We ended up going to a restaurant that Hubby and I always meant to try. I wanted to take Canine, Bert and TC there when they come to visit sometime :) The restaurant is called The School House Restaurant. It's a quaint little old school house that was transformed into a restaurant for fine dining.
It was quite the experience. The ambiance was fantastic and the service was wonderful.Of course, I whipped out my camera to take photos for the blog.
I started off with the Spanakopita (spinach pie).
I love everything and anything that has spinach in it! This was a lovely, warm, flavourful treat. The greens were also delicious.I chose the chicken on butternut squash risotto with veggies.
The asparagus was cooked to perfection and I think my new favourite thing to eat is butternut squash risotto! The taste was mild and buttery. The butternut squash gave the dish a slightly sweet flavour. It all came together so nicely. The risotto just melts in your mouth. It was sooooo good!I was actually going to take photos of Hubby's, Rosie's, and Rosie's hubby's dishes as well, but then I thought they'd think I was a freak for doing so! Oh, the lengths I go to for this blog! ;) I was eyeballing Rosie's hubby's shrimp appetizer! Next time I'll get that!
I did manage to get photos of the desserts. I was so sad! Because "Junior" does not like me to eat anything sweet, decadent, or even remotely sinful, I just watched everyone savour their dessert choices. *sigh* TORTURE! I guess I could have had dessert...but I would have just paid for it afterward! No thanks.
Hubby's Crème brûlée looked absolutely mouthwatering!
Hubby loves his Crème brûlée (if you remember from one of my Christmas in Montreal posts)! Hubby actually said that this Crème brûlée was possibly one of the best he has ever had (and this man knows his Crème brûlée)! I didn't even bother asking for a taste because I noticed that the ingredients included Bailey's and Kahlua! Sounds divine! I told everyone at our table that as soon as I have this baby, I am going straight to The School House Restaurant and I'm having one of those Crème brûlées!!!Rosie's Chocolate Almond Cake looked really tasty too! I snuck a shot after Rosie had her first bite.
Mmmmmmmmm...CHOCOLATE!! How I miss chocolate! Why, oh why does this baby not let me enjoy chocolate? Have you ever heard of a pregnant woman who can't eat chocolate because it absolutely makes her sick?? :( Sooooo sad!!!We highly recommend The School House Restaurant!
We capped off the night with Rosie and her hubby taking photos of the Milky Way and the night sky from our back field. Where we live, the night skies are so dark. We don't get the light pollution that you'd find in the city. It was a stunning night and the stars were really beautiful. What a perfect way to end a perfect day. We'll definitely be seeing Rosie and her hubby again soon! We just love those two!
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About the Blog Author
City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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33 comments:
Mate, if I come visit you and your Hubby, you'll take me to that restaurant, yeah? I also want to try out that Garden Restaurant you mentioned before.
Did you want me to send you some okonomiyaki snacks in the post? What about a few boxes of Collon? I know you mentioned you liked those.
See? I'm not always a complete twat.
-Pete
Pete:
Of course! :)
Oh, you don't need to send anything, silly! :) BTW, you're not a complete twat! Maybe a partial one! ;) LOL! Just kidding! XO
If we ever get up to the Island you will have to take us there to the Old Schoolhouse. Hubby would love that place for the ambiance and I would love it for the food!
Now that is so awesome, that you and your blog pal got along as COUPLES too!!
And I will have to take you up on your invitation to visit the island sooner rather than later. I know that we'd love it up there, especially with the way you treat your visitors ;).
Oh, and BTW, does the Schoolhouse deliver or have takeout, because maybe after the baby is here someone can run out and bring a creme brulee directly to YOU LOL!
we didn't go there when we were on the island- we went to that fish n chip place by the ferry and we also tried mum's family restaurant (they make really good bread there!) and the garden restaurant; also very good.
i honestly don't know how you do it chris- make blog friends when you've got lots of in real life friends to begin with!
ok, back to laundry- my dh has the kids today while i get housework done; 2 out of our 3 kids are in back to school so its been kind of hectic thats' why i haven't been to your blog this week. will call u soon.
We had so much fun that day, C. :) Jamie and I talked about you guys and how nice it was to meet you.
We will have to make another trip to the island, but it would be with all the kids. I do know the kids would have a blast with the kitties and Chance, your dog. you sure you're ready to have a million kids running around? ;)
That restaurant served amazing food. I had the pasta, which was incredible, and a cauliflower soup. I wish you ahd told me you wanted more pictures! I guess we'll have to "suffer" through another meal there to get more pitures. ;)
The night sky pictures turned out rpetty well, Ill have to email you some of them. We wished that it wasn't so late when we drove home, and had to pick up the kids, because there was a PERFECT harvest moon on our way. We just didn't have time to stop, set up the tripod and play with the settings. As it was, by the time everyone was home with us, it was past 2am. I think I am still recovering.
Oh well, there will be another harvest moon next year. And we'll time it for our trip to the island again, but maybe with all the kids. Then they are sleeping in the minivan and we can take all the time we need to set up. :)
I am still so happy from that day trip. It was amazing to meet you, it felt like seeing a high school friend that I hadn't seen in awhile. And, you are so cute with your belly! In a few weeks, your belly shots will look perfect. :)
Beach Mama:
Yes! Definitely! :) You've been to the Island before, haven't you? Maybe you, Northern Mom and I can meet up. I know she's sometimes on the Island. We keep missing each other!
Karen:
Yes! It was so neat to meet up as 'couples'. The guys hit it off really well. They seem to have a lot in common with regard to things to talk about! Then again, Hubby is like that. Anywhere we go, he always seems to keep the conversations going with people from all walks of life. Really neat!
I don't know if The School House has take out! Definitely something to look into! LOL! I might be sending Hubby there to pick something up for me! ;)
Do hope you, Ian, L and Little G can come up sometime! If not, we're in TO a few times a year anyway...and we usually stay not too far from you! ;) We stay at my aunt's house (the one you know from the gym).
P.S. No, it wasn't that aunt with the RLMFHO on FB! LOL! It was her older sister. My mom has LOTS of sisters. 7 sisters and 1 brother (well, 6 sisters now since the eldest passed away from cancer a few years ago).
Hot Mommy:
That fish and chips place you mentioned actually burned down the other month. Too bad, because they had the best fish and chips around! The place caught on fire one night (or early one morning) and now there's nothing left. I know you guys really liked that place. For our wedding, almost everyone who was at our wedding and who stayed on the Island for the week, went there for fish and chips! My uncle from Wisconsin went there 4 times!!! LOL!
Rosie!
Allo! We had a blast too! Your hubby called us yesterday to thank us for having you guys over. I told him that you guys are welcome (kids and all!) anytime you want! The kids will have a blast exploring!
We can't wait to meet the entire crew! :)
Can't wait for you guys to take baby bump pics for me! Waiting for the belly to get even bigger!! LOL! I'm so glad we were able to meet up too! It did feel like I was seeing an old friend that I hadn't seen in a while too! :)
Yum, yum. I can always count on you for delightful photos of decadent foods. I wish there was something like that around here.
Sounds like a perfect bloggy meeting!
I am SO thankful to have crossed paths with you. I cannot tell you how delighted I am to follow you through your pregnancy as well :)
I'm so jealous you've met all of these bloggers!
I agree with Karen Meg. You should definitely have that Creme brulee delivered to your hospital room right after you deliver! I had my friend bring a bag full of Little Debbie's to mine (it was my motivation while pushing).
Jealous! That should have been ME visiting you guys! {{{{{{LOL}}}}}}}
Hopefully we'll see you soon and I'm glad you guys had a great visit with your new friends. You've always had an easy time making friends; that's why I wasn't worried about you when you said you were moving up there! I think I was more worried for myself! HA! Do miss you! Thank god for your blog, Face Book, phone and e-mail!
Calf Keeper:
Aww! Thanks :) Are there no quaint little restaurants where you are? What I really love about living on this island is that there are no franchises like McDonald's or KFC. I know that sounds dreadful to those who can't live without places like those and Taco Bell, but in exchange we get lovely, unique little mom and pop operated places.
When I was in your neck of the woods a few years ago, I went to the Ozarks to this place called Lambert's. It wasn't a small restaurant at all. It was quite the experience having the wait staff throw dinner rolls at you! I didn't realize what was going on (I'm not used to people throwing food around) and I totally didn't catch my dinner roll! LOL!
Lisa:
It was! :) Aren't bloggy meetings the greatest? I really enjoyed your post with that young couple and their new baby. Lovely! You are such a talented photographer!! I can't get enough of your photographs!
Sandy:
It is really special to be following up with blog pals' lives, isn't it? With the pregnancy, it's like you guys are all there with me...giving me advice, pep talks, and basically letting me know that everything I'm going through is natural and normal :) Thank you for that!
I also love that I get to follow up with your ongoings. I love all the photos and cute Babisodes stories! What a doll! XOXO
T:
Don't be jealous! Just get your butt up here! ;) You said a zillion times over the summer that you'd be here! LOL! Not sure when I'll be in your neck of the woods next. We'll see. Anyway, I think we're due for a catch up session on the phone. I'll try to call you sometime this week. My schedule's kind of up in the air so I'm not sure when exactly. XO
You had me at butternut squash risotto. The last time I had it, I thought it might be too rich, too sweet, but I gave it a try anyway. Heavenly.
I've met two bloggy friends, Gina from Just Another Day, and Tracy from Starshine Report. I loved them both. Then of course, Autumn's Mom and Cherry were my real life fans before I got into blogging.
I want to come see your beautiful island, and go to these beautiful restaurants you have there. Yum.
My bags are packed...this is a tropical island with palm trees and white sand and warm weather and fruity rum drinks, right? ;)
Oh... this is one of the most heartwarming (and tummy warming!) post I've ever read. Your own personal warmth and beauty is wrapped in each word you write. It is no wonder you have connected in such a special way to so many people around the world. The blogging "thing" is almost miraculous, when you think about it, isn't it?!
Your heart is such a sharing heart... you so remind me of a lovely quote from Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince... "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Your heart reaches into everyone. What a blessing for your little baby who is learning all of this love each day, who feels your power of humanity. OK. Except for the chocolate love!
What hosts you and hubby are! I am inviting myself to your island!!!! Oh, I DO have some experience with babies!!!! And I love spinach and G-clefs (I have never seen a chocolate swirly one!!!!)!
Your Spanakopita looks so much better than what I had last week. That's what I get for eating at the gas station.
How awesome! I have found that every time I meet a blog buddy, there is a natural chemistry and an easy rapport. It is a true blessing!
I hope we get to meet one day, too!
xo
J:
I forgot to tell you that I've saved a whole bunch of your recipes on my computer! Every time you post a recipe, you have me drooling!! ;)
I hope that you, Cherry, Starshine, Autumn's Mom and your families can come visit the Island sometime! That would be so much fun! :)
VE:
Hmmmm...I WISH!! ;) The water is the same shade of aqua/turquoise as the water I've seen in many of the Caribbean countries I've been to. It's not a tropical island, but the summers are hot! I can always make you feel like you're on a tropical island by serving you some mojitos and margaritas!
Sharon:
Oh! You just made a pregnant woman cry her eyes out!!! That was such a beautiful comment you left. Thank you so much. You, Jane and Audrey are all very special to me. Although we have never met (YET!), you three have been there for me in more ways than you can imagine. Thanks for that! XOXO
Jeanna:
They sell Spanakopita in gas stations where you are??? Wow! I think the best we get here is "homemade" fudge, stale beef jerky (who knows HOW LONG those things have been sitting in those glass jars on the counter!), and maybe...just maybe, truck stop hamburgers.
Starshine:
Just wrote a recent post and you inspired the last bit of it! :)
You are just a sweetie. I would love to meet you one day on your fun island :) It's great to meet bloggy friends. I have a long list as well. Glad you had fun w/ Rosie!
Autumn's Mom:
Right you are! ;) It is really fun meeting up with people you've gotten to know through their blogs. I'm glad my husband and Rosie's husband were able to meet up too. We had lots of fun.
Okay, here's the deal: You, J, Ms.Mamma, Cherry, Starshine, me...and a few girlie drinks! Sound good? I was thinking something along the lines of Pina Coladas and Margaritas. Of course, AFTER I have the baby that is!! ;)
I have said it before and I'll say it again and I will never get tired saying how happy I am to have met you C.
I think its great you've been able to meet blogging friends up close and personal.
For me, its yet a dream to come true!
My mouth is watering for greek food now! Yum! You can never go wrong with chocolate though ;) Hope you can eat some (lots) soon!
Sounds like so much fun! I'm in :) Have a great day